Homemade Router Lift with Mobile Bench

I bought a budget router and router table for $60 at Lowes. My old router is an inherited Black & Decker so even though the new one is cheap, it is a remarkable upgrade. I think the Lowes Task Force router is the same one that is offered at Harbor Freight but packaged as Chicago Tools. I used it on a couple of projects and it didn’t take long to realize that getting the height adjusted is really difficult with the springs.

I didn’t want to take the router apart so I starting thinking of ways to adjust the height and came up with what you see here. I have seen more complicated and much more expensive but all of those are outside of my expertise and price range. It looks a little odd but it works really well. All I have to do is attach the cordless drill and crank it up or down. I attached the block of wood to the top of the router using the existing screw holes for the housing cover but used longer screws. I used 1/4 threaded rod so even with the drill fine ajustments are quick and easy. I didn’t want to make gears but I wanted to be able to adjust it from the front. I bought a right angle drill attachment for $18. I attached the springs so the socket would have some travel and upward pressure and wouldn’t slip off the nut and rod. I had the bandsaw and router table on my workbench but I needed the space so I threw this little bench together Friday afternoon. It has wheels so it can be spun around to have end table access to either the bandsaw or router table. I ran the shop vac hoses through the table and have quick connects on the back. I left some space in the middle to attach my little drill press but I think I may attach a bench grinder instead. The only thing I had to buy for the table was $18 of plywood.

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6 comments so far

I love it when someone uses their own know-how to create a solution! (Especially considering the CRAZY prices of the store bought version) You have 300 extra bucks in your pocket and the pride of doing it yourself in your head!

Cool, I know everyone else said it but it true. I have the exact same router and table, except mine has the Mastercraft brand name on it. I hated adjusting that thing also. Cussed at that thing for 4 years until I recently upgraded to a Freud Router and table combo.